Photochromic optically keyed dispenser
First Claim
1. A removable and replaceable keying component which is required for operation of a mechanism,the keying component including an electromagnetic radiation waveguide,the waveguide having an inlet for electromagnetic radiation and an outlet electromagnetic radiation,the waveguide providing a path for transmission of electromagnetic radiation from the inlet to the outlet,the waveguide includes a photochromic portion which contains a photochromic dye which has an inherent unactivated state and an activated state,on radiating with a dose of activation electromagnetic radiation in a range of activation wavelengths the photochromic dye changing from the unactivated to the activated state,with the photochromic dye in the unactivated state the photochromic portion having an inherent first transmission characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in a range of test wavelengths, andwith the photochromic dye in the activated state the photochromic portion having a second transmission characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in the range of test wavelengths different than the first transmission characteristic,the keying component serving a function in the operation of the mechanism in addition to the function of providing the waveguide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A removable and replaceable keying component which is required for operation of a mechanism and which component includes a waveguide having a photochromic portion. A method of controlling operation of a mechanism, preferably a dispenser, having a removable component comprising the steps of measuring electromagnetic radiation passing through a waveguide carrying at least in part on the removable component and permitting operation of the mechanism only when the measured electromagnetic radiation corresponds with one or more pre-selected parameters. Preferably, the method involves directing emitted electromagnetic radiation with pre-selected input parameters selected from a plurality of input parameters.
28 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A removable and replaceable keying component which is required for operation of a mechanism,
the keying component including an electromagnetic radiation waveguide, the waveguide having an inlet for electromagnetic radiation and an outlet electromagnetic radiation, the waveguide providing a path for transmission of electromagnetic radiation from the inlet to the outlet, the waveguide includes a photochromic portion which contains a photochromic dye which has an inherent unactivated state and an activated state, on radiating with a dose of activation electromagnetic radiation in a range of activation wavelengths the photochromic dye changing from the unactivated to the activated state, with the photochromic dye in the unactivated state the photochromic portion having an inherent first transmission characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in a range of test wavelengths, and with the photochromic dye in the activated state the photochromic portion having a second transmission characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in the range of test wavelengths different than the first transmission characteristic, the keying component serving a function in the operation of the mechanism in addition to the function of providing the waveguide.
Specification